At least three employees of Hillgrove House in Bega have been stood down in recent days as they have not had the flu jab, and told they cannot return until they do so.

For Narelle McIlhagga, a carer at Hillgrove for 14 years, the loss of her job came as a traumatic shock, although she was at pains to stress she bore no ill feeling towards employer Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Group and her boss Matt Sierp.

"It's the federal government directive that's the issue - it's thrown bedlam into the nursing home," Ms McIlhagga said.

"Staff members are now out of work, some have little children, I've got a mortgage - it's surreal really.

"Matt has been quite good and understanding - and I could see he's been forced into a position where he has to put people off.

"I'm not against anyone having the vaccine, but we need to have choice."

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The Health Department directive is very clear, saying that as of May 1 and applicable until June 22, everyone entering a residential aged care service needs to be vaccinated and have appropriate evidence of their immunisation record.

Failure to comply with the ministerial directive can result in six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to $11,000 (or both) for the service operator, plus a further $5500 fine each day the offence continues.

Mr Sierp said the new rules of access were very clear, but that Sapphire Coast Community Aged Care Group services already took the health and welfare of their residents and employees very seriously.

"Infection control measures don't change - we already have strict measures of cleanliness and so on in place," he said.

"These are now additional measures in line with the law."

Among those is the screening of every person coming in to the facility.

And anyone wishing to enter - staff, volunteers, health practitioners, tradespeople, or to visit family members on Mother's Day for example - must also abide by the flu vaccination directive.

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"As dictated by [NSW Health Minister] Brad Hazzard, it's against the law for anyone to be on site who hasn't had the vaccine, unless there's a genuine medical condition.

"And there's not a different set of rules for employees."

Mr Sierp said residents were "delighted" with the preventative measures being implemented by Hillgrove House staff and management.

"They say they feel they're in the safest place."

While Ms McIlhagga said there was no logic to the directive given it's not compulsory for residents to have the vaccine, and that residents can go into town, mingle and then return, Mr Sierp said currently residents were not allowed on outings other than medical appointments, which were carefully managed.

The decision has been taken "purely to protect the vulnerable" Mr Sierp said.

"The last thing we want is for anyone to get the flu and COVID."